Toshiba First Manufacturer with Five EPEAT Gold Status Laptops

IRVINE, Calif. (BusinessWire EON) August 14, 2007 -- The five Gold status Toshiba notebooks include all Portege(R) R400 and Portege R500 configurations as well as the Tecra(R) M9 with the product prefix of "PTM91" and two models of the Tecra A9 with the product prefixes of "PTS52" and "PTS53". To achieve this environmental rating, each computer had to pass a strict set of criteria created to reduce the impact electronics have on the environment.

"Toshiba is focused on creating products that have cutting-edge technology and are environmentally conscious as well," said Mark Simons, vice president and general manager, Digital Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. "The EPEAT Gold status is a milestone Toshiba is truly proud of, and we are looking forward to continually making strides to protect the world we live in for future generations."

EPEAT is a three-tiered rating system that enables purchasers to evaluate and select computers and monitors based upon their environmental attributes. A Bronze product must pass 23 mandatory criteria in eight categories, and Silver products must meet these same 23 mandatory criteria and an additional 50 percent of 28 optional criteria. Meanwhile, EPEAT Gold status is awarded only to products that reach all 23 mandatory criteria and a minimum of 75 percent of the optional criteria.

To reach EPEAT compliance all products must meet an acceptable rating in the following eight categories: reduction/elimination of environmentally sensitive materials; materials selection; design for end-of-life; product longevity/life cycle extension; energy conservation; end-of-life management; corporate performance and packaging. Additionally, by meeting the EPEAT requirements, Toshiba's notebooks are also in compliance with the IEEE 1680-2006 standard, the first U.S. voluntary environmental guideline for institutional purchasing decisions involving notebook and desktop computers and monitors.

It is estimated by the Green Electronics Council that during the next five years EPEAT-registered computers will positively contribute to the reduction of more than 13 million pounds of hazardous waste, more than 3 million pounds of non-hazardous waste, and save more than 600,000 Megawatts of energy - enough energy to power 60,000 homes for a year.

"It is exciting to see a company like Toshiba meet so many of the EPEAT requirements," said Jeff Omelchuck, director of the Green Electronics Council. "But it is especially rewarding to see Toshiba's growing list of products that go above and beyond the minimum EPEAT environmental requirements. Each point beyond the minimum provides extensive additional environmental benefits, and Toshiba's EPEAT Gold products have earned up to 21 additional points."

Toshiba notebook computers also support other environmental initiatives, such as the European Union's Restriction on Hazardous Waste (RoHS)(1). All Toshiba notebooks designed after September 2005 are RoHS-compatible, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances. Toshiba also offers a computer trade-in and recycling program to reduce environmental impact and promote efficient utilization of resources. All Toshiba computers qualify for free recycling, while non-Toshiba computers and other consumer electronic products can be recycled for a small fee. For more information please visit: www.reuse.toshiba.com.

Additional information on Toshiba's Gold rated EPEAT notebook computers is available at www.toshibadirect.com or www.sell.toshiba.com.

About Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS)

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of four business units: Digital Products Division, Imaging Systems Division, Storage Device Division, and Telecommunication Systems Division. Together, these divisions provide mobile products and solutions, including industry leading portable computers; projectors; imaging products for the security, medical and manufacturing markets; storage products for automotive, computer and consumer electronics applications; and telephony equipment and associated applications.

TAIS provides sales, marketing and services for its wide range of information products in the United States and Latin America. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, which is a global leader in high technology and integrated manufacturing of electrical and electronic components, products and systems, as well as major infrastructure systems. Toshiba has more than 191,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of over US $60 billion (FY2006). For more information on Toshiba's leading innovations, visit the company's Web site at www.toshiba.com.

(1) RoHS. Notebook is compatible with European Union Directive 2002/95/EC, Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS), which restricts use of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBB, and PBDE.

(C) 2007 Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. All product, service and company names are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Information including without limitation product prices, specifications, availability, content of services, and contact information is subject to change without notice.